Bangladesh EC: 'Armed forces' to act as law enforcement agencies in polls

DHAKA: Bangladesh Election Commission has proposed empowering the armed forces - army, navy and air force - to act as "law enforcement agencies" during elections, one of the several changes it has suggested in the final draft of Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

The draft ordinance, which comes ahead of the Feb national election, also proposes to bar fugitives from contesting polls and reintroducing the 'No Vote' option in single-candidate constituencies to prevent uncontested elections.

"We've finalised the draft law and sent it to the law ministry," Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters on Wednesday.

With the proposed law bringing the armed forces within the definition of "law enforcement agencies", the military will work along with police forces during polls.